Shopping & Services

For years when confused visitors stopped us on 16th Street asking where to go for a night out, our answer was: Not here. But in less than a year, the XSO Night Club has become a reason to hop on the MallRide at all hours. The sprawling venue on the third level of Denver Pavilions plays Latin, EDM and reggaeton music across multiple themed rooms and on an outdoor terrace. It offers a higher-end experience compared to its neighbors, with upscale decor and a dress code for attendees. Though the location isn’t known for being a party scene, XSO might just turn that reputation around.

Once a popular stop for travelers in the 1950s, La Vista fell into decay and notoriety after Interstate 70 replaced Colfax Avenue as the main way West. But a recent renovation has transformed the motel into hipster-vibed, boutique lodging with a mid-century feel and all the modern amenities. Sharing the space is El Piñon, a combination coffee-and-crafted-cocktails bar that has indoor and outdoor seating, with more in the cozy, ’60s-reminiscent Grandma’s Basement. While the Colfax Bus Rapid Transit project has hit many businesses hard over the last year, La Vista can see the future — and it’s looking good.

The days of South Broadway being the only place to go antique-shopping are over. Now, you can find great shops all over town — including on East Colfax Avenue, where Antiques Etc. has a style all its own. Rather than specializing in fusty furnishings, the fifty-plus dealers who occupy the more than 10,000-square-foot store carry the coolest artifacts of the mid-20th century: paintings, glassware, vinyl, vintage clothing and assorted decor items that defy easy characterization. The layout has plenty of personality, too, with three floors filled with booths and sales areas. Every nook, cranny and turned corner reveals fresh surprises, and the prices are usually reasonable enough to transform looky-loos into customers.

Looking for random retail items for way less than you’d pay online or at a big-name box store, things like sheets, mattress toppers, appliances, clothes and small kitchen appliances? Leo’s Discount & Bin Store is filled with all kinds of overstock items and returns from Amazon, Target and Kohl’s, as well as other arbitrary merchandise that you can get for just a few bucks. Leo’s refreshes its revolving assortment of goods weekly. On Friday, stuff in the bins goes for ten bucks, and the price decreases every day until Thursday — when the store closes to restock.

Thrifting used to be a lot more fun back in the day. Walking into a resale shop was once a captivating capricious adventure, where you had no idea what secondhand salvages you’d find, from a vintage pair of 501s to a threadbare ’80s metal T-shirt from a concert at a venue that doesn’t exist anymore. Like just about everything else, thrifting has become mainstream, and almost all of the places you go to now are picked over or overpriced. But not the Assistance League of Denver Thrift Shop. At this quaint place, you can still find good deals on some great gems.

Do you have some dim memory of a weird little toy from your childhood in the ’70s, ’80s or ’90s that you cherish but can’t even name anymore? Now there’s a place where you can see all those toys back on the shelves, just like they were at Kmart and Toys “R” Us back in the day. Whether it’s an egg-shaped ghost that glows in the dark (the Weebles Haunted House), a G.I. Joe knockoff action figure (Sgt. Rock with your own unique dog tag!) or a stuffed monkey-thing that you remember from the theme song (Monchhichi, Monchhichi, oh so soft and cuddly), they’re all here, along with more super-rad stuff.

Opened in 2004 by James Elliot and Stephen Castillo, Regal Vintage has been a Denver fashion staple for more than two decades. The store is always well-stocked with must-have vintage gowns, shirts, pants and sweaters, but you also might find something you didn’t know you needed — like a kitschy cat planter, antique geta shoes or a Penny Lane coat. Organized by era, this store also makes shopping for something specific easy, and Castillo and Elliot always provide a welcoming and fun atmosphere.

Punk-friendly vintage store Scavenged Goods, owned by Chip Litherland, is an antique and clothing hot spot where shoppers might come across anything from tiny antique glasses and photographs to old band tees and pins. Lovers of the occult, strange or just plain creepy will be particularly pleased to find a clown room (yes, with dozens of clown plushies and figurines packed into the space); anatomical heart, skull and baby-head candles; and other curiosities that Litherland comes across in his scavenging. “The punk community in Denver is like family,” he says. “The store is at least partially there as a gathering place.”

Opened in 2021 by Tristan Bego and Jenny Neal, the Common Collective is a staple of Capitol Hill’s East 13th Avenue, close to other favorites like Wax Trax, Jelly Cafe and Kilgore Books. The store works with vendors to supply upcycled and vintage clothing in a variety of sizes and styles; it also stocks unique accessories, including jewelry and hair clips. The rotating selection of earrings includes unique finds that are sure to earn you compliments wherever you go. Pro tip: Don’t miss the great clearance rack at the back of the store.

Savvy jewelry lovers mark their calendars for the second Saturday of every month, when Jewels for Hope opens its doors for a festive jewelry sale. Donated bracelets, earrings, necklaces, rings and designer bags can be had for a song, and there are also grab bags of miscellany perfect for craft projects. Founded in 2004 by the parents of diabetic children, the program has raised over $500,000 for the Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes; sorting, repairing and pricing the jewelry is done by a dedicated group of volunteers.

After working in the fast-fashion industry for several years, Ashley Mitchell saw the need for a more sustainable way for consumers to “look good without feeling bad.” That led to her opening an online store, and now The Yellow Morning vintage boutique, a welcoming retail space in Belmar. The focus here is on curated, high-quality, classic pre-owned pieces, arranged by color. Just for fun, you can order “mystery outfits,” which contain a few complementary pieces, or pick up a “curated bundle,” with tops, bottoms, layering pieces and accessories tailored to your preferences.

Opened at the end of 2025 by boot designer and fitter Brian Tomajko, Lucky Bastard Custom Boots sells beautiful, handmade cowboy boots and belts, elegantly designed and made from a variety of leathers, including horse, bison, calfskin, goat, stingray, alligator, ostrich and even salmon. Tomajko and his dog, Lucky, welcome customers into the shop to look over and try on the boots. “We always have beer and whiskey on hand,” Tomajko says. “I invite people to come in, hang out, meet Lucky, look at the boots, look at the belts, discuss repairs and have a conversation.”

Shoe lovers Annabel Reader and Dan Huling were inspired to open their own shoe school after attending one in New Zealand in 2017. Located in Bellvue, just outside Fort Collins, Colorado Shoe School is basically a peaceful treehouse that hosts workshops ranging from a half day to five full days. You’ll learn how to make things like fanny packs, sandals, boots, sneakers, derbies and sandals. Sustainability is key; repurposed leather from leather jackets or upholstery is used, or you can bring your own to upcycle into footwear. Method and function are part of the curriculum, but the focus is also on fun and creativity.

Through Bella Boutique, Denver teens who want to attend prom but can’t afford formalwear can book a one-hour consultation with a personal shopper to select a dress, shoes and accessories, all for free. No proof of income (or lack thereof) is necessary; the only rule is that during the actual experience of picking out their attire, the shopper leaves friends and family outside and is accompanied by a volunteer so the choices are theirs alone. There’s no permanent location for this boutique; call 720-383-4259 or go to the website to find that season’s spot.

Formerly the Castle Rock Feed and Supply Company, the Emporium started out with twelve merchants and has grown to over sixty booths with something for everyone. Home goods, including things like laser-engraved rolling pins and cocktail supplies, share space with jewelry, natural-fiber clothing, vintage children’s books and fairy garden supplies; there’s also a coffee shop with grab-and-go lunches. Next door, the Barn in the circa-1905 barn features merchants with shabby chic furnishings, repurposed furniture and a baby boutique. It even hosts an annual Mother’s Day tea.

Folk Vala Studios is an exceptional tattoo parlor, but it’s much more than that. Self-described as a business rooted in folk magic, the studio is primarily a place to find community through ritual, art and culture. In addition to a retail store featuring a rotating collection of apothecary goods, books and local art, Folk Vala hosts events and paid classes centered around histories and practices of different cultures, ranging from Icelandic folk history to crafting your own pine tincture. Don’t miss the flash tattoo deals on the first Friday of each month to celebrate the history of the Santa Fe Arts District.

This unassuming haunted hideaway may be the most unique niche shopping spot on the Front Range. It’s a scary good place, with the most twisted trinkets you’re going to find anywhere to titillate the most discriminating horror movie fans in your friends and family. From Michael Meyers prayer candles and one-of-a-kind handcrafted art to artifacts from local artists and horror-themed clothing, this bloodcurdling boutique is worth a visit. You can also grab a latte and watch a scary movie while you decide whether you really need that Dracula hoodie (yeah, you do).

Ever felt like creating your own piece of pottery — without having to worry about the sculpting and kiln processes? Pottery studio Ceramics in the City has plenty of good options to choose from. And no, nothing close to that dinky knickknack you painted at a birthday party in seventh grade. Whether it’s a soap or butter dish, a garden gnome, an ashtray — or hell, your own pipe — Ceramics in the City has something for every taste. You can easily book a session online, pick out your piece and get creative with your painting. Ceramics in the City will fire it up in the kiln, and your masterpiece is ready to pick up within a week.

Vintage-style photo strips are having a big moment right now. For the perfect shot, look no farther than Stanley Marketplace. Located on the second floor of the mixed-use urban marketplace, the unassuming photo booth provides sharp, high-contrast black-and-white portraits with a cute retro background. The pictures that result are higher quality and more flattering than those from any other photo booth we’ve tried in the metro. So stop by the Stanley to grab a new Instagram profile picture, and check out one of the dozens of local restaurants and businesses while you’re there.

Reed Fox received a 2026 Outstanding Alumni Award from the University of Colorado — and his work with Moon Magnet is a big reason why. The two-time Meow Wolf grant recipient is a noteworthy musician in his own right, as witnessed by the accomplishments of his band déCollage. But he’s also dedicated to passing along his knowledge, and Moon Magnet — a music school, mastering studio, record label and DJ production company — has proven to be an excellent platform. The facility teaches everything from learning how to play an instrument to releasing a recording to the public within ninety days. As an added bonus, Moon Magnet teachers actually make house calls: They’ll drive to you! 

In the summer of 2025, Cherry Creek got its own luxury piano store, Steinway & Sons. Steinways are like the Ferrari of pianos, elegantly crafted and coveted by pop stars, universities and symphonies. An immense concert grand that can play itself comes with the heftiest price tag, while the cheapest pianos run around $7,200. A store like Steinway & Sons is something of a novelty these days, when most people are buying electric instruments at Guitar Center. But playing a Steinway is like having a whole orchestra at your fingertips.

Part used music store, part instrument repair shop and part loan services and shop, Wedgles Music & Loan is tucked into an unassuming storefront next to a convenience store. But inside is an amazing treasure trove of used instruments — from electric and acoustic guitars to flutes, violins, synthesizers, trumpets and other equipment, such as amps and pedals. Stop in and you might be drawn to a mandolin with a butterfly inlay or an accordion with pearlescent buttons, but don’t be surprised if you fall in love with an affordable guitar and finally decide to start learning to play.

Vinyl collecting is an expensive hobby. Depending on what you’re hunting for — whether it’s a Record Store Day exclusive or an alternative speciality pressing — an afternoon of digging can easily set you back hundreds. If you’re building up your collection, but you’re on a budget, Recollect Records has you covered with its backroom, which is filled with $3 bangers. Stop by this humble boutique and stock up on unheralded gems from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s without breaking the bank. Remember to bring airpods to sample stuff you’ve never heard: An afternoon of artistic discovery awaits.

If you’re a nerd of any stripe, you owe it to yourself to check out Black & Read, particularly now that the store’s moved twelve blocks south to a well-lit, larger space with plenty of room for geek goodness. Do you amass music? Accumulate comics? Pile up paperbacks? Gather up gaming goods? You’ll find it all shelved neatly at Black & Read — except for that impressive hoard of in-process collectibles stacked up by the front doors. Paraphrasing what Tolkien once wrote of Smaug’s treasure-pile: To say that your breath will be taken away is no description at all.

Want to celebrate the state and its creatives? A Touch of Colorado, Belmar’s locally owned gift shop, is filled with a vast array of products created by Colorado artisans and artists, including hand-thrown mugs, tiny pots, ceramic sculptures, soaps and Maruca bags. There’s also a large selection of hats, T-shirts, sweatshirts, scarves and baby presents that you won’t see in typical Colorado souvenir shops, along with hot sauces, honey and jams. The inventory changes often, and there’s something for every budget.

Listen, we understand: There’s nothing more satisfying than writing a letter, journal entry or note on thick, high-quality paper with a nice, smooth pen. Opened by local art-scene and craft-show regular Judy Gehrke-Gilbert at the end of 2024, Pen Pals sells fountain pens, unique stationary and handmade greeting cards (that are much more aesthetic than the ones you’d find at a grocery store). Collage artists will also want to check out this place, which stocks packets of vintage bits of paper and ephemera just waiting to be turned into a work of art.

The BookGive Service Station name is literal: The store’s location is a former gas pitstop. But the “Service” part has a dual purpose. BookGive offers books to anyone who shows up, no questions asked — and the tomes on display are typically high-interest, recently published works, as opposed to stuff that’s been moldering in Grandma’s attic. But the nonprofit also solicits donations and partners with education-oriented organizations ranging from Denver Public Schools to the “I Have a Dream” Foundation to make sure readers of all ages have access to pages worth turning. Since 2019, BookGive has donated 500,000 books and counting. Its hours are limited, but its generosity is boundless.

Twice a year, the Jefferson County Library Foundation hosts the biggest used book sale in the metro area to raise funds for the county’s public libraries. The event is truly every collector’s white whale, with over 80,000 books, CDs, DVDs offered each round. Catch the event in late May or late October at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds, or check out the Whale’s Tale Bookstore in Colorado Mills for a more limited selection of used books available year-round.

The new home of Vision Comics is way more than just bigger and better. It’s also badder, as befits a place that advertises “oddities” in its signage. Yes, it carries comic books, and even produces some of its own — so cool that they’re consistent sell-throughs. And it stocks toys, too, new and vintage. But the decor alone is worth a look: a giant, cymbals-clapping possessed monkey glaring down from the rafters; a huge skull with a Game of Swords throne inset in the mouth, and much more that will fill nightmares in the best possible ways.

Artist and illustrator Joe “the Mad Titan” Rollman has become known for his work at various conventions around town, and shows at venues like Ink Comics Art Gallery. Last year, he did battle with cancer, and while he emerged victorious (yo, Joe!), the American healthcare system is such that his deductibles still amounted to well into six figures. So he and wife, Lady Jaye, decided to part with their comic and art collection on the auction site Whatnot every Thursday night and Sunday morning to work to defray the costs — and it’s been such fun that they might just keep going once the medical bills are paid.

Jennifer “Mama” Foreman, Paradise, and the rest of the team at Praise the Paw do it because of the love. That much is clear. Oh, they offer fantastic services, too; everything from nail trims to ear cleaning to full canine makeovers can be had in their 17th Avenue storefront. But the joy they have in seeing your dog is worth the cost almost on its own. The key is the relaxed atmosphere: Dogs do better when they know they’re in a good place, among good people. 

A stylish facility just north of Park Hill, saltbox provides support for small and medium e-commerce companies by providing warehouse space, packing stations, shipping and receiving services, camaraderie and other logistical support for a growing business. The two content studios allow users to create for social media, and conference rooms are available for meetings and presentations. The saltbox also partners with the Denver Economic Development Corporation on special programs.

The much-requested Playaway is a palm-sized, non-smart device that holds preloaded popular fiction and nonfiction titles for adults and children alike. As with a simple tape recorder, the only buttons are play, pause, forward, reverse and volume. No internet is needed, only a AAA battery, and it plugs into headphones, a speaker or your car’s audio jack. The simplicity appeals to all ages. 

Alliance Française de Denver, a local chapter of the international group dedicated to spreading the French language, has a cozy, newly remodeled French library. While the library is small, the selection is not so petite, with more than 1,500 books available for checkout Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The collection includes classic, contemporary, and children’s books for all levels of French. Anyone can check out up to five books for thirty days. But fair warning: The overdue fee is 25 cents per item per day. Alors.

Programming at the Denver Public Library has undergone a major overhaul under the direction of Jessie de la Cruz, who brought back the popular citywide reading program One Book One Denver after a decade-long hiatus. Other events include the lively and rollicking Battle of the Books, where the audience votes for which of five local creatives does the best job of describing a life-changing book. A more introspective option is the Silent Pages Society, with participants meeting up to read their own book in different locations, including a recent visit to the light rail N line.

Funded by the 2021 RISE Bond at a cost of $6 million, Denver Public Library’s 28th and newest branch is part of the Blossom House campus, a lively neighborhood hub with a teen makerspace, hydroponic farm, community kitchen, gathering spaces and early childhood education program. The library has movable shelving to accommodate events and programs, and there are photos of beloved educator Lena Archuleta throughout. Her campaign for equal education for all led her to become a teacher, librarian, and eventually Denver’s first Latina principal.

If you’ve spotted a small yard sign proclaiming “Certified Native Plant Garden,” the homeowner has earned that distinction by committing to gardening with native plants from state ecosystems with the guidance of the Colorado Native Plant Society. Incorporated in 1976, its mission is to conserve native plants (defined as those that were present prior to Columbus’s voyage). Today, the society offers scholarships, workshops, webinars, field trips and presentations such as Insect-Plant Interactions and Native Seed Planting Shindig. Everything you need to achieve certification is on the webpage; the online store has many resources, some of them free.

Locally owned and operated since 1984, Centennial offers a way to buy or lease a used or new car without you having to visit multiple dealerships; if it doesn’t have what you want in its inventory, Centennial will find it for you. You work one-on-one with a broker who begins the process with a conversation about your budget and vehicle preferences; then, after the broker finds a car that fits your criteria, you get a test drive along with expert advice. A variety of leasing or financing options are available, and your broker will even deliver the paperwork and your new ride.

Driving a hybrid or electric vehicle comes with the challenge of finding a mechanic who knows the software and the wiring, who won’t misdiagnose or use the word “battery” to refer to both a twelve-volt and a high-volt. Mile Hybrid is the most reliable EV and hybrid auto repair shop around. The mechanics are jacks-of-all-trades who can fix electric vehicle issues quickly and affordably, and offer basic services like tire rotations, windshield wiper replacement and oil changes. A large portion of the customer base is Uber and DoorDash drivers, and the City of Denver even contracts with Mile High to maintain some of its EV fleet.

For more than two decades, Aurora smokers have been relying on L&A Market for pipes, cigarettes, hookahs, bongs, vape batteries and now, Zyn. It also sells injera, the spongy, fermented flatbread that has been a staple of Habesha cuisine in Ethiopia and Eritrea for thousands of years. L&A makes its injera every week from teff grain, and sells packs for $11 that can last weeks. Injera’s sourness pairs best with savory, saucy dishes like Ethiopian doro wat, a spicy chicken stew, or even American chili and Indian vindaloo. And nothing caps off a hearty, injera-based meal quite like a puff of smoke, too.

Aspiring bakers can take classes in making pretzels, empanadas, croissants and challah bread in the teaching kitchen of Rebel Kitchen; they can also pick up baking supplies from the pantry as well as free sourdough starter. But there’s much more to Rebel Bread. The retail counter offers a rotating selection, all baked fresh daily with grains from regional mills; options range from cranberry cinnamon sourdough bread to marble rye, roasted garlic ciabatta, sourdough pizza dough, and a bagel for four. The recently opened cafe has a full coffee bar, too, along with pastries and an array of sandwiches.

Pacific Mercantile is in the heart of Denver’s historic Japanese community, and it’s now being run by the fourth generation of the family that founded the Asian supermarket right after WWII and its concurrent incarceration of almost 130,000 people of Japanese descent. Today, it’s the place to shop for everything from Japanese snacks, candy and fresh seafood, to produce, refrigerated foods, canned goods, kitchenware, clothes and books. You’ll also find a large collection of instant ramen in packs, cups and bowls that are way beyond what college students subsist on. The store has a palpable sense of community that welcomes all to this cultural haven.

The Valente family opened this business in 1990, but their history in Denver’s food scene dates back to the 1930s. Still family-run today, Valente’s Deli, Bakery & Italian Market is the place where you can find Italian sausage made from patriarch Fred Valente’s recipe, take-and-bake pizzas, deli staples, bread, cookies and lots of hard-to-find Italian ingredients and products, including the most impressive dry pasta selection in the metro area. There’s no worry of shopping hungry here, since you can also order one of the specialty sandwiches.

Filled with natural light, this Steam Espresso Bar is in a former historic firehouse with lots of indoor and outdoor seating, making it ideal for working, socializing and people/dog watching. The high-quality coffee is from ethical roasters, and there’s a full juice bar, along with teas and a pastry selection at the counter in the center of the shop. After the success of their South Pearl Street location, twin brothers Hani and Zahi Yaafouri opened this second spot in the midst of the pandemic, with Zahi bringing an architecture background while Hani added extensive experience in the coffee business. The result is a neighborhood treasure.